X.500 is a series of computer networking standards covering electronic
directory services. The X.500 series was developed by
ITU-T, formerly known as CCITT, and first approved in 1988. The directory services were developed in order to support the requirements of
X.400 electronic mail exchange and name lookup.
ISO was a partner in developing the standards, incorporating them into the
Open Systems Interconnection suite of protocols.
ISO/IEC 9594 is the corresponding ISO identification.